Oscar de la Renta, one of New York’s most famous fashion designers, has died aged 82 following complications from a battle with cancer. He had been diagnosed with the illness in 2006.

Born 22nd July 1932 in Santo Domingo, Oscar de la Renta moved to Spain at the age of 19. He started his career in fashion under the wing of Cristobal Balenciaga, sketching dresses, before working for Lanvin in Paris. In 1963, he moved to New York, the city where he was to make a name for himself. He first worked for Elizabeth Arden and Jane Derby before designing under his own name.

Oscar de la Renta’s elegant dresses soon became hugely popular amongst stars and socialites. He not only dressed a series of first ladies from Jackie Kennedy and Hilary Clinton, to - most recently - Michelle Obama, but his client list also encompassed the likes of actress Sarah Jessica Parker and singer Beyoncé. He made the headlines earlier this Autumn when Amal Alamuddin chose him to create her wedding dress when she married George Clooney.

His death comes shortly after the fashion house announced last week that Peter Copping, formerly at Nina Ricci, would be taking the reins as new creative director. The whole fashion industry - from models to editors - has been paying tribute to the designer.